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Courtland's David Scott upends James Monroe's Greg Edwards in the fourth quarter.
James Monroe's Dovan Allen squeezes into the end zone for the game-winning touchdown against Courtland.
James Monroe quarterback Farkeem French tries to break a tackle. French threw for 187 yards in the win. |
BY ADAM HIMMELSBACH
Early yesterday morning, the James Monroe football players were summoned to a lecture room at the high school.
There, they found head coach Richard Serbay in tears.
Serbay told his players the team had to forfeit six of its wins because it had used an ineligible player.
He told them they would not be going to the playoffs to defend their Division 3 state championship.
"We didn't think it was true," senior wideout Keenan Carter said. "Then everybody broke down in tears."
After the meeting, JM's seniors gathered the underclassmen. They reminded them they had one game left, and they told them they had to win.
They had to win for their season, for their fans, and, most of all, for their coach. Serbay, who is also the school's athletic director, was racked with guilt for not knowing about the ineligible player.
Throughout the day, players stopped by Serbay's office and offered their support and encouragement.
And last night, the Yellow Jackets took the field with nothing and everything to play for, and they rallied for a 10-6 victory against Courtland.
"This is something I'll never forget as long as I'm coaching," Serbay said afterward, his words mixed with tears. "For a grouchy old bear, I feel pretty fortunate to have so many people stand by me."
After the final whistle, the Yellow Jackets took turns hugging Serbay and telling him they loved him.
While the win provided some redemption for the Yellow Jackets (2-8, pending appeal), it proved costly for Courtland (6-4). The Cougars' loss combined with Smithfield's win last night will leave Courtland out of the Region I, Division 4 playoffs.
James Monroe, meanwhile, is clinging to the hope that its appeal will be upheld by the Virginia High School League's executive committee today.
Serbay is scheduled to take part in a conference call with the committee at 10:30 a.m.
"I'm gonna plead for my kids," he said. "What happened hurts so bad because these are special kids."
Last night's game was a test of two defenses that were unwilling to fold. There were a total of eight sacks, five interceptions and nine punts.
Midway through the fourth quarter, James Monroe led 2-0 thanks to a second-quarter safety.
But Courtland pushed in front with 3:46 left when Billy Bowen's 4-yard touchdown capped a 51-yard drive. The ensuing two-point conversion failed, and the Cougars led, 6-2.
James Monroe took over at its 35-yard line, and Farkeem French settled in. The senior quarterback completed six of seven passes, helping the Yellow Jackets to a first-and-goal at the 2.
With 1:05 remaining, Dovan Allen took a handoff and pushed into the end zone.
"I was nervous," Allen said. "They give me a chance every now and then. I just took this one, leaned in and got it over."
Tyran Bates took the snap on the ensuing two-point conversion and darted to the left pylon, giving JM a 10-6 edge.
Courtland had a final chance, starting at its own 38 with one minute left. But Ryan McBroom's first three passes fell incomplete, and the fourth was intercepted by French.
After French was knocked out of bounds, he ran up the stone steps of Maury Stadium and hugged his mother.
"It was just such a good feeling to know we've done it," French said. "We went through a lot today."
As the final seconds ticked off the clock, Serbay turned to the home crowd and pumped his fists. Then his players ambushed him with a water cooler bath.
Afterward, players and fans lingered on the field longer than normal. They hugged and smiled and wiped away tears as buses idled behind the bleachers.
They Yellow Jackets knew this was probably the end, so they were in no rush.
"This is all about heart for us," Carter said. "We're gonna make it through."
Courtland | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | -- | 6 |
James Monroe | 0 | 2 | 0 | 8 | -- | 10 |
Second Quarter
JM-- safety.
Fourth Quarter
Ct--B. Bowen 4-yard run (pass failed).
JM--D. Allen 2-yard run (T. Bates run).
TEAMSTATISTICS
Ct | JM |
First downs10 | 15 |
Rushing yardage34-140 | 26-18 |
Passing yardage58 | 187 |
Passes3-13-3 | 18-28-2 |
Punts-Avg.3-33 | 6-24 |
Fumbles-lost2-1 | 2-0 |
Penalties-yards 2-10 | 8-60 |
INDIVIDUALSTATISTICS
Rushing: Courtland--Kirk Wilson 15-81; Billy Bowen 9-31, TD; Michael Bailey 7-23; Josh Dubose 1-4; Ryan McBroom 2-1. James Monroe--Mike Latney 10-9; Farkeem French 14-7; Dovan Allen 2-2, TD.Passing: Courtland--Ryan McBroom 3-13-3 58. James Monroe--Farkeem French 18-28-2 187.
Receiving: Courtland--Kyle Norton 2-61; Ricky Yarris 1-(-3). James Monroe--Keenan Carter 6-75; Greg Edwards 6-56; A'Darius Brown 3-26; Mike Latney 2-20; Ryan Haynes 1-10.
Adam Himmelsbach: 540/374-5442
Email: ahimmelsbach@freelancestar.com
